Two women and a man died in a house fire early Sunday near Gunn, Alta, northwest of Edmonton, the fire chief for Lac Ste. Ann County said Monday.
The Parkland RCMP responded at 12:30 a.m. Sunday to a house fire in the Darbyson Estates area of Lac Ste. Ann County, RCMP said in a press release.
“It was thought that there were many people in the house at the time, but it was completely engulfed,” police said.
Three adults were found dead after the fire was extinguished.
Randy Schroeder, Chief of Fire for Lac Ste. Ann County told CBC News that the victims were two women and a man.
A dead and pet was found in the home, he said.
The district fire department responded to a call to 911 about “an advanced situation with severe fires” shortly after midnight on Sunday, Schroeder said.
The first crew to arrive found a completely affected fire in the structure and was told people were still inside, he said.
“The fire conditions were such that we could not make an aggressive attempt at an internal search, and unfortunately we had to conduct protective fire operations all the time,” he said.
The fire was contained within 45 minutes, but was not announced for another two hours.
The investigation continues.
Fourteen firefighters from three stations responded to the fire. A firefighter was taken to hospital with a small puff of smoke, but was released and returned to work, the chief said.
RCMP Const. Sarah Williams told CBC News that the victims had been identified in advance. Confirmation is pending the completion of autopsies, which is expected to take place on Monday, Williams said.
Police and Schroeder said the fire was not believed to have been intentional.
The Gunn Pendulum is about 50 miles (70 km) northwest of Edmonton.
Second recent fire tragedy
The fatal fire on Sunday marked the second such tragedy in less than three years for Lac Ste. Anne County and its firefighters.
In December 2019, a family of five died in a fire in a house in Rochfort Bridge, about 130 kilometers northwest of Edmonton.
“This is a heavy tax for volunteers who train very hard and are dedicated to responding to all these kinds of situations,” Schroeder said.
“Surely firefighters – along with the whole community – are grieving the loss of this magnitude, these people. We will certainly try to continue to support the family, as well as the community, in many ways. “
Add Comment